When I decided to run the Rome Marathon, I knew my family would be supportive, but I never imagined the trip would turn into one of the best of my life.Running a marathon is largely a solo challenge (to be clear, those blisters were very much mine), but I couldn’t have done it without my family’s support. I was overcome with excitement when I learned that a whopping nine people from my roster of family and friends had decided to travel with me to Rome, Italy, to enjoy the city and cheer me on.I figured if all went well, I would be running for less than four hours, which would leave most of our time free to explore the city together. And fortunately, 99 percent of the work was done before I even set foot on the plane. All the long-distance training runs in all types of weather were over.My body was prepared, and I felt confident in my training. Now, my job was simple: relax, enjoy the city, and keep my legs loose by going on a few short runs. And what better way to see Rome than on some easy runs through the city?To be fair, I had to think about my body first. I couldn’t go on all-day adventures or stand pondering paintings for hours, but luckily, there’s plenty to do in Rome that doesn’t involve straining your legs.So how do you rest, but still enjoy your international marathon trip, before the marathon itself? Rent a Vespa. Not only is it a blast to ride, but it’s far better for your body than being cooped up in a car. Zipping around the streets of Rome made me feel like I was part of the city, and experiencing Rome like a local is much more fulfilling than waiting in line for museums.Everyone in my family had their own adventures, from exploring the grandeur of the Vatican to reconnecting with our Italian roots. We tasted the amazing local food, spoke the language, and left our stress behind. By race day, I was pleasantly relaxed.However, on the morning of the race, nothing could have prepared me for the beauty around me. With the Colosseum as my backdrop, I could feel the sensation of being surrounded by such rich history. Hearing the thousands of fellow footsteps around me, anxiously scratching and tapping against the ancient ground, was a spectacularly communal feeling, a unique bond I instantly felt with complete strangers. I couldn’t help but play Hans Zimmer’s “Gladiator” soundtrack on my iPod to deepen the already-epic experience.When the gun went off, I was completely immersed in this uniquely Roman moment, acutely aware of and extremely grateful for everything that had come together for me to be here — my health, my family, and my hard work. It was one of those life moments I knew I’d never forget.The course was a circuit, which made it perfect for seeing my cheering squad. On normal point-to-point races like New York or Boston, you’re lucky to see your family and friends once. But on this course, I was able to see my family four timesthroughout the race, thanks to my brother’s sharp navigational skills and execution. Talk about adrenaline boosts. When reviewing my performance after the race, I could immediately identify the mile — err, kilometer — markers where I passed my family, with splits 10-15 seconds faster per kilometer each time I saw them.I honestly can’t describe the feeling of seeing my family’s faces in the crowd or hearing their voices. Sure, there were other Americans in the race, but there was no bigger fan base than mine — no sign larger than my father’s, and no yell louder than my mother’s.At the halfway mark, I passed the Vatican and it started to downpour.Queue the music. This was truly epic; I can only compare it to a scene from a movie. I unclipped my iPhone from my armband and recorded a video. I never do that, but I just had to capture the moment. Roughly halfway through the marathon, it gave me the energy, confidence, and inspiration to pick up my pace and finish strong.Not only was my family cheering me on from the sidelines, but I also had some help running. My uncle — who raced the New York City Marathon in 2011 — flew from Lyon, France, to Rome for the weekend and jumped in to run the last few miles with me as a surprise. Having his energy and camaraderie during the last stretch propelled me forward.With my amazing support network backing me, I finished the 20th Rome Marathon in 3:34.13, 21 minutes faster than my marathon four months earlier in New York.At the finish line, I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I broke down in tears and found myself cheering, “We did it!” “We?” Yes, “we.” That’s what impulsively came out of my mouth, and it was the absolute truth. It was beautiful.With my arms pumping up and down, I shared the moment with everybody who had come with me. It was never “I.” It was always “we.”After picking up my medal and reuniting with my family and friends, there was only one way to celebrate finishing a marathon in Rome: with a heaping plate of homemade pasta at a local trattoria and a bottle of Chianti.I ran this race for my legs, my health, my happiness, and the challenge, but I also learned that training, traveling, exploring, and achieving could bring my loved ones together. I will always remember the city and feel grateful for the experience. It gave me memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.Now, when people ask for my advice on a great trip, my answer is simple: Run a marathon.

Social proof. As kids, we called it peer pressure. Now it’s known as FOMO (fear of missing out). It’s what makes us want to grab a meal at that restaurant our friends have been raving about or skip watching a movie that received negative reviews online.

It’s human nature to want to participate in what’s popular, and you can use social proof to improve your bottom line.

In this article, Phil Dumontet explains why social proof lends desirability to your delivery service and provides tips on how to amplify the FOMO phenomenon.

Phil Dumontet, CEO of DASHED, sets specific goals to measure his success.Phil Dumontet is the founder and CEO of DASHED, the leading restaurant delivery service in the Northeast. In 2013, DASHED was recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., ranking #119 nationwide and #7 in Massachusetts on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 500 | 5000 list. Phil prides himself on the company’s unique partnerships with higher-end restaurants, as well as their efforts to keep delivery green and eco-friendly. Follow him @phildumontet.Who is your hero? I’ve never had one hero in life, but I do draw the greatest inspiration from my family. My mom brings a beautiful enthusiasm and positivity to life that makes everything more enjoyable; my dad is a wonderfully caring and guiding force who has always steered me in the right direction; my older brother is incredibly smart and provides tremendous business mentorship; my girlfriend quite simply makes me a better person; and my dogs make me smile and keep me active. They all deserve hero status because they are constant sources of inspiration.What’s the single best piece of business advice that helped shape who you are as an entrepreneur today, and why?Learn what you do best and delegate the rest. Being “well-balanced” is a nice way of saying you’re mediocre at everything. To grow my business, I focused on what I did best: relationship-building. I brought in people to do the things that I didn’t do well. If I didn’t focus on my strengths, my company would be puttering along.The same advice applies to our business strategy. As a delivery company, speed drives all that we do. Trying to be the best at many things would result in mediocrity across the board. We focus on doing one thing exceptionally well and orient the entire company around this core competency.What’s the biggest mistake you ever made in your business, and what did you learn from it that others can learn from too?My biggest mistake was hiring people who didn’t share the same values and vision. I overvalued industry experience, confusing it as an indicator of good performance. Industry experience isn’t necessarily a good thing. Hiring the wrong person can bring an infectious negative attitude and stubbornness that will suffocate a team looking for positive, forward-looking leadership. To me, it’s clear now that the best indicator of success when hiring someone is a true passion for the company’s mission and a good work ethic. The rest can be learned.What do you do during the first hour of your business day and why?My day starts with exercise. Waking up at 6 a.m. allows me to plan my day before it plans me. After my morning exercise and hot-cold contrast shower, my head is clearest — so I make a list of the most important things to accomplish that day. I stick to this list religiously. After that first hour, I only check my email at two designated times during the day (thanks Tim Ferriss) to make sure I stay on track with the things that are actually going to grow my business.What’s your best financial or cash-flow related tip for entrepreneurs just getting started?Hire a top-notch accountant. Don’t cut corners or try to have a friend help you out. You can save money in other ways, but hiring an excellent accountant will pay for itself. They will manage your cash flow effectively, help you cut costs, and make sharp recommendations.Quick: What’s ONE thing you recommend ALL aspiring or current entrepreneurs do right now to take their biz to the next level?Get out of your comfort zone. Do something you don’t want to do. Try something that may end in spectacular failure. It’s the only way you’ll grow.What’s your definition of success? How will you know when you’ve finally “succeeded” in your business?The only way I can judge success is to set goals. I reach high but make them attainable. If I meet my goals, I succeed and celebrate. If I don’t, I have failed and need to reset.

I wake up very early and go for a run. This clears my head. I then stretch out using a foam roller, take a contrast shower and plan my day. To be productive, I have to plan my day before it plans me.Phil is the Founder and CEO of DASHED, the leading restaurant delivery service in the Northeast. In 2013, DASHED was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the US, ranking #119 nationwide and #7 in Massachusetts on Inc. Magazine’s Inc 500|5000 list.An avid runner, Phil completed the 2013 ING New York Marathon in under 4 hours (3:55:32), and is currently training for the 2014 Rome Marathon and the 2014 BMW Berlin Marathon, along with several other competitive races around the world. In his free time, Phil enjoys skiing, yoga, writing and playing with his dogs in Central Park.Where did the idea for DASHED come from?It all started over a life-changing dinner with my brother in May of 2009.What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?I wake up very early and go for a run. This clears my head. I then stretch out using a foam roller, take a contrast shower and plan my day. To be productive, I have to plan my day before it plans me. Then I’ll head to one of our offices or into the field to meet with restaurants.How do you bring ideas to life?I talk them out with people I trust.What’s one trend that really excites you?Smart watches.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?Definitely exercise — I wouldn’t be sane without it.What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?Scooping Italian ice. I learned that the customer is always right.If you were to start again, what would you do differently?I would have done more to “break out” of my silo earlier. Getting more exposure to different people, ideas and businesses has been transformational. I thank my girlfriend for helping me do this now.As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?I recommend that everyone finds time to unwind and unplug. Working all the time and not taking a break is a recipe for unhappiness. Stepping away from the business will actually fuel your creativity and clarity and you’ll come back with a fresh perspective.What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.We focus on doing one thing, and doing it very well. We are a delivery company, so first and foremost, delivery times drive everything we do. We have a speed obsession, because no one wants to be waiting for their food when they’re hungry. I know first-hand. Staying focused on just this, offering the fastest delivery, is what causes our customer satisfaction, loyalty, and our ultimately success.What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?Not to beat a dead horse, but trying to do too many things at once. There is a limit to what you can do, and when you do too many things at once (like over-expansion), you’ll be mediocre at everything you do, instead of excelling at one thing.What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?Build a review/ratings platform that is driven only by people I trust.Tell us something about you that very few people know?I can’t whistle.What software and web services do you use?What do you love about them? Flow is a great to-do/task-manager tool for our company. It holds everyone accountable and keeps people on the same page.What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?I’m sure most people have already read it, but I still have to recommend 4 Hour Work Week. It will help you get more done in less time.What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?@realDonaldTrumphttp://www.gallaugher.comhttp://www.inc.comhttp://www.virgin.com/richard-bransonhttp://blog.fastcompany.comInterview original published by IdeaMensch.

Whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a race junkie, working up a sweat has some universal elements: the willpower to start, the pain, the motivation to keep going, and the push to go further than you thought you could.My personal passions are growing my business and running faster.Though they may seem like different pursuits, entrepreneurs can learn from runners’ commitment, drive, and ability to power through.Here are a few runners’ lessons that entrepreneurs should internalize when starting a business.1. Show up with confidence.Training for a marathon takes a minimum of three months — if someone is already a strong runner. While I wouldn’t spend that much time in “prep mode” before starting your business, good training and experience will give you confidence right out of the gate.As a business owner, you must continually remind yourself of the training that’s prepared you for success. Perhaps you’ve had a challenging and accomplished career, a great education or mentor, or a setback that caused you to grow. Think about what you’ve done to train, and show up to the starting line with confidence.2. Persistence pays.Meb Keflezighi recently became the first American man to win the Boston Marathon in 31 years. After the race, he shared insight into his strategy: "I don’t rest until I put my head on the pillow." The same lesson applies to business. You will have setbacks, failures, and people who doubt you. Keep working. Keep running. All your efforts will make victory that much sweeter.3. Take nothing for granted.In the afterglow of a personal best, your runner’s high and raw adrenaline can push gratitude to the backburner. But the ability to race and compete isn’t a given. Don’t take your ability to exercise for granted.The same goes for starting a business: Not everyone has the desire to put themselves in the driver’s seat (understandably). But if you want it and are in the position to do something about it, be thankful. It’s a tremendous opportunity, worth remembering during both good times and bad. Be grateful for the opportunity — it will make you and those around you much happier and more fulfilled.4. Set three goals.No matter how well you train, marathons are unpredictable beasts. Race day could go perfectly — or your legs may feel like lead as you battle a torrential downpour. My running coach taught me to set three goals:

A reach goal (if you’re feeling awesome on race day)

A realistic goal (the time you’ve been training to reach)

A safety goal (the time you can reach when there are factors beyond your control)

Just like on race day, uncontrollable factors will pop up in the business world. Having three sets of goals will make you feel good about your achievements without allowing setbacks to shake your confidence.5. Visualize your success.As a runner, it’s helpful to visualize success. I picture myself crossing the finish line with a new personal best, or reaching deep inside to go faster when my muscles get tired. Visualizations are extremely powerful motivators, but they aren’t limited to athletes. Visualize business success, too.Maybe your goal is to introduce a truly innovative product or feature in your space, reach a certain revenue figure, or create an award-winning company culture. What will it feel like to accomplish your objective? Whatever your goal is, picture it, then work to make it reality.6. Analyze your performance.Every time I cross the finish line, I check my performance using a tracking app like Strava or RunKeeper. I review my splits (my pace at each mile) to see where I did well and where I can improve. I notice which parts of my body are in pain so I can train to strengthen them.I find it helpful to replay the race in my mind — not to wallow in what didn’t go well, but to set a plan to finish faster next time. Once you’ve hit a milestone in business, replay what got you there. What made you successful, and where can you improve?Take hold of the successes, and find ways to amplify and multiply them down the road. When training for a marathon, you put in the miles leading up to race day, lace up, and hope for the best. The same goes for business: You prepare as much as you can, but there will always be hard stretches along the way.There’s no question that it takes sheer determination and confidence to reach the finish line. By maximizing your training, you’ll put yourself in the best position to succeed, knowing you gave it your all.The result? You’ll have no regrets — perhaps the greatest victory of all.

Scarcity rules the world of business, and no scarcity is more pressing to customers than time. Customers are starting to demand the convenience of delivery to squeeze a little more into their day — and businesses are taking notice.Amazon will soon roll out its own private fleet of trucks to make more same-day deliveries. Google is hot on its heels, planning to expand its own same-day delivery service. Uber is starting to push into the arena, too.Delivery is hot right now, but how do you know whether it’s right for your business? And if it is the right move, where do you start? Here are some tips for small business owners.

Determining whether delivery is right for youAs you’re considering implementing delivery into your business model, consider the following questions to help you make an informed decision.

Are my competitors delivering? If they are, how are they doing it? Is there a demand? What are they charging? Try a service for yourself by ordering from a competitor and being a critic. Take notes on what went well, what didn’t and how you could improve it.If they aren’t offering delivery, find out why. Are insurance costs too high? Have they tried and failed? Pretend to be a customer, and call to ask for delivery. Then, ask whether they’re considering doing it in the future. The answers could be enlightening.How will I differentiate my services? If everyone else in your space is delivering, what will be your differentiator? Maybe your drivers will dress in tuxedos or use advanced technology, or maybe you will provide a small gift to each of your customers. Choose something they won’t soon forget.

Preparing to take your products to doorstepsStarting a new delivery service may seem daunting, if you decide to go that route. However, there are some steps you can take to make the progression easier:Start small. You can always expand your delivery zone later, but starting small will help ensure the quality of your service. As you become more established, you’re more likely to be able to expand without sacrificing quality.

Appoint a head of delivery. Whether it’s the business owner or another employee, someone needs to own the delivery experience for the customer, from start to finish. All compliments, complaints and questions must go to a single point of contact so you can accurately track the experiment.Set clear expectations with staff. The delivery staff that brings your product to the customer is the only in-person interaction the customer will have with your company. Train one delivery driver at a time, then release that driver to train another. Carefully building your delivery team ensures quality and consistency.Use the first five seconds to your advantage. The first five seconds of the customer’s interaction with your service is critical. Train your staff to smile, provide a proper greeting, and say “thank you” to every customer.Survey and solicit feedback. If the same customer orders from you over and over again, reach out and see if you can ask him or her a few questions about your new delivery program. Often, customers have a unique perspective and will be glad to share it.

Remember, it’s all about saving your customers time. If you decide to offer delivery, it’s not just about bringing a milk container to the customer — it’s a 15-minute errand that was keeping that person from doing something else.When you deliver to your customers’ front doors, you can help them reclaim their time for more meaningful activities — and that can help your company stand out.

How Phil Dumontet translated his need for speed into the fastest restaurant delivery business in the Northeast.

Phil Dumontet is the founder and CEO of DASHED, the leading restaurant delivery service in the Northeast and one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Here's how he trains for the hardest endurance sport of all: running a business.Train to WinWhen it comes down to it, being successful in business is about winning. I have a passion for running, so I think about my business in terms of training to cross the finish line with a sense of accomplishment. I founded DASHED, my restaurant delivery service, with this mindset--and it is a winner.Last year, the company achieved nearly 3000 percent growth over the preceding three years and added big-name restaurants like P.F. Chang's to our roster. We pride ourselves on our unique partnerships and our ability to keep delivery green and eco-friendly. The run we're on is a marathon, not a sprint.Here are three pieces of advice to bring home the gold.

1. Do one thing, and do it really well.Star athletes don't play every position, and Olympians don't participate in every event. They specialize. It's tempting to fall for the myth of the business Renaissance Man, but the truth is that he doesn't exist. Do what you do best, do it exceptionally well, and delegate everything else. Mediocrity is the enemy of the business leader. If you do too many things at once, you'll be mediocre at all of them.Everything we do at DASHED is driven by delivery times, so my obsession with speed has resulted in a growth rate that far outpaces our competitors. Focusing on speed compelled us to base staff bonuses on delivery times and roll out a fleet of smaller, greener, and faster smart cars.2. Train your body as much as your mind.Healthy eating and exercise improve your mood, increase your motivation, and reduce your stress, which is a serious roadblock to creative thinking. As a general rule, think about everything you eat in terms of how it will affect your energy and mood. Eating a high-energy breakfast helps you make it through the day without crashing.Exercise clarifies your mind and calms you down. Getting away from work also helps you gain a new perspective on the problems you're facing and attack them with renewed vigor. There's no way I would have had the energy and clarity to make good business decisions over the past five years if I hadn't had time to unplug and get in the flow of running or hot yoga.Another great natural energy booster and detoxifier is hot-cold water therapy. It's the secret of Olympic athletes and even James Bond. For the last 10 years, I've started my day with a contrast shower by varying the water temperature between as hot as I can stand and as cold as it gets for 30-second increments. It is more energizing than a cup of coffee and has numerous health benefits.3. Inject your passion into your business.You can't make it to the World Series if you don't love baseball, and your company can't become a force in the industry if you don't love it. Once the novelty of entrepreneurship fades, you'll need to infuse your business with your passions in order to keep you striving to win.So ask yourself: What do I enjoy? What do I do purely because I love it? I brought my passion into my culture by making a friendly athletic competition a company tradition--awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals to the carriers with the fastest delivery times.Whether your "gold medal" is a specific growth rate or an award-winning company culture, any business will benefit from a leader who trains to win with focus, passion, and a healthy mind and body. Figure out what makes you a better leader, and your business will follow.

People often assume that making eco-friendly choices means spending more money. But more often than not, going green will actually save you money. Even mega corporations like Walmart are increasing profits by adopting environmentally friendly practices.It turns out that what’s good for the earth is also good for your business and its employees, especially if you offer delivery services. Additionally, you can save on expenses by offering environmentally friendly options.Green means speedThe most environmentally friendly modes of transportation are also the cheapest. Using scooters, bikes and Smart cars can save you loads on gas while also increasing the number of deliveries you can manage in a day.At Dashed, about 25 percent of our restaurant deliveries are done via bicycles and scooters, with another 50 percent done by Smart cars. That means 75 percent of our deliveries are maximizing speed and minimizing environmental impact, which has given us an advantage over our competitors.When employees make deliveries on bikes or scooters, they can find faster routes easier than in a conventional car. Alleys and smaller side roads become valid routes, and the problem of parking is completely removed. Smart cars can also fit into tighter parking spots than larger vehicles.When you factor in better routes and fewer parking worries, that equates to faster delivery times — the most important competitive advantage you can have. Fast deliveries maximize profit and keep your customers happy.Go green to boost moraleGoing green won’t just make the environment and your customers happier, though. It will make your employees happier, too. Prioritizing the environment shows you value more than just the bottom line, and your employees appreciate that. It gives the business and the individuals who work for you a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.Green modes of transportation, such as bikes, are also better for morale than cars because exercise is good for people, both physically and psychologically. Using bikes for delivery means your employees will be healthier — inside and out.Bikes and scooters also make the job more fun. Our employees enjoy friendly competition with each other to set records for the most deliveries in a day. And no one can overlook the fact that more deliveries equals more tips. Who can turn down making tips while exercising?Not all of our deliveries are made by bike. We rent our Smart cars to those who prefer to drive but either don’t own a car or would like to use a Smart car. This offers the drivers more choices, and more choices lead to happier employees. When you take away the requirement to own a vehicle, delivery jobs also become more accessible to a greater number of people.Go green to attract consumersA brand’s eco reputation is becoming a growing concern for customers. People are looking for conscientious businesses to support, and establishing green practices will help you build trust within your market.Green options are growing for both companies and consumers. We no longer have to choose between convenience and price or the environment. If you can’t “green” your delivery completely, consider even the smallest steps toward reducing your impact.In the restaurant delivery sector, there are an increasing number of affordable green options for takeout bags, cutlery and napkins. A less visible but equally meaningful change you can make is to cut your paper use. Anything still being done on paper is an opportunity to be more environmentally responsible by switching to electronic systems. Paperless billing, online banking and emailed receipts are several ways you can cut out paper waste.“Going green” may just sound like a trendy buzzword that isn’t worth the effort, but many environmentally conscious choices lead to more efficient systems and greater profits. Examine your delivery system, and figure out how you can go green. It will help you grow your business in ways that makes everyone — employees, customers, and you — feel good.

Far too many upscale restaurants look down upon the idea of offering their food for delivery, citing their first-class restaurant experience as the king of customer satisfaction. But are you ready for the truth?For many patrons, convenience far outranks the in-person dining experience. People are busy and tired, and they value the ability to have delicious food delivered to their door. It’s time to bring your restaurant onboard.A Win-Win for Customers and OwnersOffering delivery brings two powerful elements to your restaurant image: It sends the message that you understand your guests and the importance of convenience, and it shows your confidence that your brand can handle major exposure to tens of thousands of online guests looking to eat well.When people feel like delivery, they won’t go out—no matter how good your award-winning dish is. Embracing delivery as part of your restaurant organization means you’re catering to patrons who would otherwise not eat at your restaurant, especially when it’s snowing or raining. If you’re not offering delivery, there’s no question that the guest will choose another restaurant simply because it delivers and you don’t—even if your food is better!Think of offering delivery as the online equivalent of foot traffic. These are people who will click, find, read, or be intrigued by your online presence. Having a strong online presence also means having an easy way to order delivery online. Even if guests don’t order from you directly, offering delivery will get your menu, your story, your brand, and your food in front of a far larger audience than if you limited your restaurant to the dining-in experience.5 Delivery Dos and Don’ts for RestaurantsIf you’re a top-rated restaurant partnered with a top-rated delivery service, it is entirely possible to marry excellent food with equally outstanding delivery service. Delivery doesn’t make your food “greasy takeout.” Bad delivery does. So take hold of these dos and don’ts to give your food the advantage of a first-class delivery experience.1. DO use insulated, temperature-specific delivery bags.Delivery food should taste as fresh as it would if it were served in the restaurant. No matter how carefully you cook it, the food you deliver only becomes soggy, cold, and altogether unappetizing when the delivery service uses the wrong bags (or no bags!) for transport. There’s no excuse for this, and it’s easily avoidable if you invest in insulated, temperature-specific delivery bags.2. DO use top-notch delivery containers and packaging.The same rule applies to your delivery containers and packaging. Avoid cheap Styrofoam containers that may impart unwanted flavors. Aside from being unfriendly to the environment, Styrofoam containers are also more prone to spillage and leaks — one of those automatic “dead on arrival” delivery issues that are almost impossible to recover from. Your food deserves better. Spend more on high-quality, eco-friendly packaging. The food will stay hotter, fresher, and most importantly, will be more enjoyable to guests when it arrives at their door.3. DON’T mix cold items with hot items.Never mix cold items, such as desserts and salads, with hot items (entrées and soups). No guest wants a crisp iceberg salad to turn into a warm, soggy mess or ice cream to become milk soup. Combining both cold and hot items in one delivery bag is laziness. Certain dishes need to be served at a specific temperature—just like in the restaurant.4. DO deliver to the door, no questions asked.Carriers should bring the order “door to door,” from the restaurant’s kitchen to the patron’s front door. There’s no excuse not to. It doesn’t matter if the street is busy or whether it’s Newbury Street in Boston or Midtown Manhattan—leaving the food with the doorman or calling the patron to come downstairs to pick it up is unacceptable. Anything you do that takes away from the convenience of ordering in, including asking guests to meet the delivery driver downstairs, jeopardizes the beauty of the delivery experience and threatens the very reason they ordered in the first place.5. DON’T let drivers call patrons for instructions.FedEx doesn’t call to ask how to get to your address to deliver a package, does it? The same thing applies to a food delivery service. Can’t find the street? Call your dispatcher. Lost? Call your dispatcher. Patron not answering the door? Call your dispatcher.Calling the guests for instructions is an entirely avoidable nuisance that detracts from the delivery experience. The food should just get to the door—no calls, no problems.Bringing the delivery experience to your full-scale restaurant means you “get it.” You understand that sometimes there’s hardly enough time in the day to eat, let alone prepare a top-quality meal. It also shows a real understanding that guests should be able to enjoy quality food in the comfort of their own home. And a combination of your restaurant’s top-notch food and the best possible delivery experience? That’s a value offering that can’t be topped.The opinions of contributors are their own. Publication of their writing does not imply endorsement by FSR magazine or Journalistic Inc.